It's Been a Weird Week

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Last weekend, Faith seemed to be struggling with a cold. On Sunday morning, I thought she had slept it off, but unfortunately, it hit full force that evening. Because she was so stuffed up, and had a lot of drainage, she did not sleep well that night. I tried to put her adjustable bed up as much as I could, but it still wasn't enough. Around 3 in the morning I put her in her chair where she slept for a few hours. After I put her back into bed, her sleep was still pretty disruptive. Finally, around 8:30 she had had enough and just wanted to get up for the day.  On Monday, we called to cancel her Tuesday therapy sessions. She was bummed about having to miss aquatic therapy and occupational therapy but took it well. I was trying my best to help her feel better by giving her nose spray (which she was actually asking for), keeping her humidifier going, and also doing this face mask thing that makes steam so that she can breathe it in. She calls it her inhaler.  On Wednesday, she ...
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Bison Weekend!

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Am I ever glad it was last weekend that we traveled for the NDSU football game and not this one as we are having our first winter storm. Parts of South Dakota are actually under a blizzard watch!

This weekend the Bison are getting ready to take on Northern Iowa at the Fargodome. It should be a good game considering our opposing team is ranked number four in the NCAA FCS division. But honestly, I am still thinking about last weekend's 20-0 victory over SDSU and how much fun I had with my dad and sister as we NDSU grads cheered the Bison on in person!
 
The Thundering Herd prepares to take the field!

My sister Tesa was the master planner behind the whole event. She had wanted to take my dad to a Bison football game and asked if I would want to come along. She was hoping for homecoming tickets but the only tickets she was able to acquire were to the Bison vs Jackrabbits game.

Brookings, South Dakota was a great meeting place as she drove there from Lincoln, Nebraska and me and Dad drove from Bismarck. I must say that because she lives in Lincoln, she is a die-hard Huskers fan but she cheers for the Bison too!

It rained and rained nearly the whole way there and we were all getting very concerned that we would end up sitting in the rain during the whole game. But when we arrived, the rain went away. It was a little chilly and there were some cold gusts of wind, but alas during the 4th quarter, and we even ended up getting a sun burn. Even better than all that though, was that the Bison began playing a lot better! 
 
Bison Nation!

Bison fans are on their feet (during the whole game!)

Bison Quarterback leads the team in prayer after each game and invites the other time to pray with them

I was a little anxious about leaving Faith and Rob overnight but thankfully Michelle was able to help out quite a bit as she was here most of the day Saturday looking after Faith and also part of Sunday. I missed her so much after being away from her for nearly 36 hours!

I had a great time with my dad and sister though! We had lots of fun cheering the Bison on to their fourth victory of the season. I'll be cheering them on from my living room as they continue to win all the way to their 3rd straight national championship! Oh, and by the way, "That's another Bison first down!"
Celebrating our win - sunburned faces and all!

Getting ready to leave South Dakota.

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It's Been a Weird Week

-
Image
Last weekend, Faith seemed to be struggling with a cold. On Sunday morning, I thought she had slept it off, but unfortunately, it hit full force that evening. Because she was so stuffed up, and had a lot of drainage, she did not sleep well that night. I tried to put her adjustable bed up as much as I could, but it still wasn't enough. Around 3 in the morning I put her in her chair where she slept for a few hours. After I put her back into bed, her sleep was still pretty disruptive. Finally, around 8:30 she had had enough and just wanted to get up for the day.  On Monday, we called to cancel her Tuesday therapy sessions. She was bummed about having to miss aquatic therapy and occupational therapy but took it well. I was trying my best to help her feel better by giving her nose spray (which she was actually asking for), keeping her humidifier going, and also doing this face mask thing that makes steam so that she can breathe it in. She calls it her inhaler.  On Wednesday, she ...
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Guest Post: Who Needs Sympathy?

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Guest Post by Stephen Gallup Last week, a columnist for the local newspaper interviewed me in connection with a memoir I wrote that’s being published this year. It was a comfortable, low-key discussion in which he asked about the basic facts regarding my disabled son Joseph and what I’ve learned that might be of value to other families. It was the sort of dialog that required no special preparation in advance. I just sat down with him and talked about the subject closest to my heart. But looking back on it now, one thing bothers me. In concluding the interview, the reporter expressed heartfelt sympathy for everything I’ve endured. He was being more than polite. I mean, he laid the compassion on with a spatula. Startled, and already thinking ahead to what I had to do next that day, I just thanked him and said goodbye. But now that final note troubles me. I don’t want sympathy! First of all, from the point of view of a new author hoping to promote his book, sympathy...
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